Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
prohibitively time-consuming
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"prohibitively time-consuming" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a task or process that takes an excessive amount of time, making it impractical to pursue. For example: "The research required for the project was prohibitively time-consuming." Alternative expressions include "excessively time-consuming" and "unduly time-consuming."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
excessively lengthy
impractically long
narrower than necessary
too lengthy
better than necessary
higher than usual
moments than usual
further than usual
longer than needed
greater than necessary
better than usual
stronger than necessary
more extended than normal
unnecessarily drawn out
harsher than usual
more behind schedule than expected
fuller than usual
older than usual
later than common
overly lengthy
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
21 human-written examples
Also, if you are in a hurry, they seem prohibitively time-consuming.
News & Media
And, with their lease about to expire, they feared the co-op approval process would be prohibitively time-consuming.
News & Media
This approach is prohibitively time-consuming and expensive for some large hydrocarbon fields (Linhua et al. 2005).
In practice, such an approach is prohibitively time-consuming for all but the simplest systems since the required number of grid points is extremely large.
As a result, manually searching for an adequate LP is prohibitively time-consuming, and an automated approach for LP design is essential.
Science
Manual aoristic analysis of any more than a handful of crimes is prohibitively time-consuming, so specialist software is required (either a stand-alone package or an additional module for software such as Excel). 5.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
39 human-written examples
Although generating art assets for a vast multicultural community may have proved prohibitively time consuming, there are ways Syndicate could have used its intricate architecture to hint at diversity.
News & Media
Even in the fruit fly's relatively simple visual lobe, tens of thousands of nerve cells interweave and connect to each other at several points each.. Tracing the connections between individual neurons using traditional brain imaging techniques is therefore "prohibitively time consuming," said Dmitri Chklovskii, a neuroscientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, who coauthored the paper.
News & Media
The comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) approach can, however, be prohibitively time consuming.
Science
While this is a very accurate method, this approach can be prohibitively time consuming and expensive for hydrocarbon fields.
It would be prohibitively time consuming to perform all of the combinatorially possible experiments in order to comprehend these relationships.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "prohibitively time-consuming" to clearly communicate that a task's duration makes it impractical, avoiding vagueness. For example, instead of saying "the process takes too long", specify "the process is prohibitively time-consuming".
Common error
Avoid using "prohibitively time-consuming" for tasks that are merely inconveniently long, instead, reserve it for processes whose duration genuinely prevents completion or effective execution.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "prohibitively time-consuming" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a task, process, or activity. It indicates that the time required is so excessive as to deter or prevent engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in both news and scientific contexts.
Frequent in
Science
60%
News & Media
24%
Wiki
4%
Less common in
Formal & Business
2%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "prohibitively time-consuming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe tasks or processes that demand an impractical amount of time. As per Ludwig AI, it is accepted and well-understood. It's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the impracticality of the time investment. Consider alternative phrases like "excessively lengthy" or "impractically long" for nuanced variations. While generally correct and useful, avoid overstating the inconvenience and reserve it for circumstances where time is a significant barrier.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
overly time-consuming
Direct synonym, emphasizing the excessiveness.
prohibitively lengthy
Direct synonym, replacing "time-consuming" with "lengthy".
impractically long
Highlights the impracticality due to the extensive time needed.
unfeasibly time-intensive
Highlights the infeasibility due to the high time investment.
inordinately time-intensive
Stresses the high level of time investment.
unmanageably long
Focuses on the difficulty of managing the extended duration.
excessively lengthy
Focuses on the extended duration required.
extremely protracted
Highlights the extreme length of the time required.
unreasonably prolonged
Indicates that the duration is beyond what is reasonable.
unduly protracted
Emphasizes the unnecessary extension of time.
FAQs
How can I replace "prohibitively time-consuming" in my writing?
Consider alternatives like "excessively lengthy", "impractically long", or "overly time-consuming" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
What does "prohibitively time-consuming" mean?
It means that a task or activity requires so much time that it becomes impractical, infeasible, or impossible to complete within reasonable constraints. It suggests that the time investment is a major obstacle.
Is it appropriate to use "prohibitively time-consuming" in formal writing?
Yes, it's suitable for formal writing. It's frequently used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts to describe processes or methods that are impractical due to their excessive time requirements.
What are some examples of when something might be "prohibitively time-consuming"?
Examples include manually analyzing large datasets, conducting extensive literature reviews for niche topics, or using outdated methods that have been replaced by faster alternatives. Anything that takes an unreasonable amount of time compared to its value could be described this way.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested